-The Telegraph   The Tata Motors counsel today told Calcutta High Court that the “first attacks” on the company came in the form of public interest litigations that had questioned the process of land acquisition for the Nano factory in Singur. “In 2007, several PILs were filed in Calcutta High Court challenging the validity of the process of land acquisition in Singur. The government and the company were made respondents (in the PILs)....

-The Telegraph   Digvijay Singh today once again called the Centre’s counter-Maoist policy to question, saying there was no need to ask for a review of the Supreme Court order that said the Salwa Judum vigilante force was unconstitutional and tribal youths appointed as special police officers should be disarmed. “I think there is no need for a review petition,” the Congress leader said when asked why the government was seeking a...

-The Indian Express   Aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality, the Janani Suraksha Yojana is a scheme unflinching in its ambition and creativeness. Launched more than five years ago, it supplements incentives like free transport with conditional cash transfer to encourage “institutional delivery”. In the years since, the data has been encouraging, but regional variations are evident — as are, unfortunately, indications that the poorest women may not necessarily be...

The challenge is to acknowledge the inappropriateness of the current health education and delivery systems, and refashion health care delivery relevant for the country. The confluence of recent events is an opportunity to rethink health systems. The new Medical Council of India, the proposed Human Resources in Health Bill, the penultimate year of the National Rural Health Mission, preparations for the 12th Five Year Plan and the promise of a significant...

The Mumbai blasts have again brought into focus the health infrastructure in Bihar, especially the state capital, and raised questions on whether the city is equipped to deal with emergency situations. The intensive care unit (ICU) at Patna Medical College and Hospital — the premier tertiary care centre in the state — itself needs emergency treatment owing to the poor condition of infrastructure and logistics. Most of its equipment are defunct...